Trace element concentrations in tropical marine fish at Bougainville Island,Papua New Guinea

Baseline trace element concentrations have been measured in eight species of marine fish from Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. This is the first stage in an assessment of environmental impact associated with mining operations. In general, concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As in edible portions of the fish comply with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council public health standards. Two species of shark contained As concentrations in muscle tissue in excess of prescribed standards. Increased concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd were recorded in liver and kidney, but Hg and Pb were not preferentially accumulated in these organs. The relationship between the size of fish and metal assay was investigated. Mercury content and weight of fish were always positively correlated but concentrations of other metals were variably correlated with size.